Silicones Market Report by Product Type (Elastomers, Fluids, Gels, Resins), Application (Industrial Processes, Construction Materials, Home and Personal Care, Transportation, Energy, Healthcare, Electronics, and Others), and Region 2024-2032

The global silicones market size reached US$ 14.5 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 22.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during 2023-2032. The significant growth in the construction industry, rising product utilization in the cosmetic and personal care industry, and extensive research and development (R&D) activities are some of the major factors propelling the silicones market.

Silicones refers to synthetic polymers composed of repeating silicon-oxygen units with attached organic groups that exhibit unique properties. It includes elastomers, gels, fluids, greases, resins, sealants, adhesives, and emulsions. They are widely used in automobiles, electronic assemblies, construction activities, medical implants, wound dressings, cosmetics, personal care products, aircraft, and solar panels. Silicones exhibit exceptional thermal stability, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and physical properties, such as viscosity, elasticity, and surface interactions. They are also inert, non-toxic, biocompatible, and offer long service life in demanding and heavy load conditions.

The rising product utilization in the manufacturing of automotive parts, such as gaskets, o-rings, seals, engine components, lighting systems, airbags, and emission systems, to provide insulation, reduce friction, minimize overheating, maintain structural integrity, and prevent the ingress of fluids and contaminants is proving an impetus to the market growth. Furthermore, the increasing product demand in the healthcare and medical sector to produce catheters, pacemakers lead, wound-care products, and implants, due to their excellent biocompatibility and durability, is contributing to the market growth. Apart from this, the growing product adoption in the electronics industry as adhesives, sealants, and conformal coatings to protect electronic devices from dust, moisture, and vibrations is positively influencing the market growth. Moreover, the increasing product utilization in the aerospace industry as a sealing and bonding material in aircraft engines, windows, and structural components is favoring the market growth. Other factors, including rapid industrialization activities, increasing product utilization in the power generation industry, and growing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), are anticipated to drive the market growth.

Silicones Market Trends/Drivers

The significant growth in the construction industry

Silicones find numerous applications in the construction industry due to their versatility and unique properties that enhance building performance, provide durability, and increase aesthetic appeal. In line with this, silicones are used as adhesives and sealants for waterproofing and sealing applications in windows, doors, and facades. Furthermore, they are used in structural glazing applications to bond glass panels with the building’s structural frames without using mechanical fixing. Apart from this, silicones find extensive applications in expansion joints to accommodate movements caused by temperature variations, seismic activities, and structural settling. Moreover, the widespread product utilization in roofing systems as coatings and membranes to provide ultraviolet (UV) resistance and prevent leaks. Additionally, silicones aid in sealing joints in drywall systems, providing acoustic insulation, and enhancing the durability and aesthetics of interior surfaces, which is favoring the market growth.

The rising product utilization in the cosmetics and personal care industry

Silicones are widely used in various makeup products, such as foundations, primers, concealers, and blushes to create a smooth finish, reduce fine lines, and improve the adherence of pigments to the skin. Furthermore, in the increasing product utilization in manufacturing skin and hair care products that enhance the application and absorption of active ingredients and act as an emollient, forming a protective barrier on the skin that aids in retaining moisture, improving skin smoothness, and providing a soft and velvety feel. Apart from this, silicones find extensive applications in antiperspirants, deodorants, and fragrances to facilitate the slow release of fragrance molecules and enhance the longevity and diffusion of scents. Besides this, silicones are also used in body lotions, creams, bath oils, and shower gels to improve product texture and enhance their moisturizing properties.

Extensive research and development (R&D) activities

The field of silicones has witnessed several notable innovations leading to the development of new products and applications. In line with this, the development of self-healing silicones that can repair themselves when damaged or cut, thus improving durability and service life, is positively influencing the market growth. Furthermore, the utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing to create highly complex and customized silicone-based objects and prototypes is facilitating the market growth. Moreover, the introduction of shape-memory silicones that can change shapes when subjected to certain stimuli, such as light and heat, is strengthening the market growth. Besides this, the recent development of biobased silicones that are derived from sustainable sources, such as plant-based feedstocks, thus reducing adverse environmental impacts, is providing a thrust to the market growth.

Silicones Industry Segmentation:

The report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global silicones market report, along with forecasts at the global, and regional, levels from 2023-2032. The report has categorized the market based on product type and application.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Elastomers
• Fluids
• Gels
• Resins

Elastomers dominate the silicones market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the silicones market based on the product type. This includes elastomers, fluids, gels, and resins. According to the report, elastomers represented the largest market segment.

Elastomers hold a majority share in the silicones market owing to their exceptional flexibility and elasticity, which allows them to stretch and return to their original shape without permanent deformation. They exhibit excellent resistance to heat, oil, solvents, acids, and bases, which makes them ideal candidates for applications in automotive engines, industrial machinery, aerospace, chemical processing, and electrical systems. Furthermore, elastomers have low permeability to gases and liquids, making them effective sealing agents under high pressure and vacuum conditions. Apart from this, they are easy to process and can be molded into different forms and shapes based on industry-specific requirements, which is contributing to the market growth.

Breakup by Application:

• Industrial Processes
• Construction Materials
• Home and Personal Care
• Transportation
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Electronics
• Others

Industrial processes represent the leading application segment

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the silicones market based on the application. This includes industrial processes, construction materials, home and personal care, transportation, energy, healthcare, electronics, and others. According to the report, industrial processes represented the largest market segment.

Silicones are widely used in various industrial processes, such as sealing, lubrication, insulation, coating, and bonding, as they exhibit a high degree of versatility and can be formulated into various forms, such as fluids, elastomers, resins, and gels. Furthermore, they offer high resistance to chemicals and temperatures while maintaining their performance and stability. Moreover, their high dielectric strength and excellent electrical insulation properties make them ideal for electronics applications, such as cables, connectors, and insulators. Apart from this, silicones form strong bonds between different substrates, such as metals, plastics, glass, and ceramics. As a result, silicones are widely used in electronic assembly lines, construction activities, and automotive manufacturing.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific exhibits a clear dominance in the market, accounting for the largest silicones market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia-Pacific represented the largest market for silicones.

The Asia-Pacific region is dominating the silicones market due to increasing product demand from various industries, such as consumer goods, automotive, electronics, aerospace, healthcare, and packaging. In addition to this, the implementation of supportive policies by regional governments to promote industrialization activities to boost economic growth is providing an impetus to the market growth. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is becoming a manufacturing hub for various industries owing to the presence of a skilled labor force, favorable regulations, and competitive pricing, which, in turn, is facilitating the demand for silicones in various manufacturing activities. Apart from this, the growing product utilization in the construction industry due to the rapid urbanization activities and increasing demand for multiple infrastructures, such as roads, railway stations, airports, and bridges, is positively influencing the market growth.

Competitive Landscape

Several top companies are significantly investing in research and development (R&D) activities and focusing on the development of new silicone-based products with improved properties and functionality to meet growing consumer demands, which is supporting the market growth. Along with this, the increasing emphasis by several manufacturers on product diversification to expand the customer base, enter emerging markets, and reduce dependency on specific sectors is acting as another growth-inducing factor. Moreover, several key players are engaged in strategic partnerships and acquisitions to expand their portfolios, increase market penetration, and get access to new technologies and distribution channels. Apart from this, the rising focus on promotional and marketing initiatives to improve brand visibility and increase awareness about products and services is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. Additionally, several top companies are incorporating sustainable practices to meet regulatory requirements and attract environmentally conscious customers.

Competition Analysis

The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global silicones market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Dow Chemical Company
• Wacker Chemie AG
• Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
• Elkem ASA

Recent Developments:

In November 2021, Dow Chemical Company announced its plan to introduce world’s first commercially available carbon-neutral silicones to be used for structural glazing, insulating glass, and weather sealing applications.

In March 2023, Wacker Chemie AG announced its plan to expand its production and cartridge filling capacities for silicone sealants at its Nünchritz facility, in response to rising silicone sealants demand for various applications in doors, windows, kitchens, bath-rooms and walls.

In March 2023, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. developed a silicone rubber that can be used as an optimal insulation covering material for onboard high-voltage cables in automobiles.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

1. What was the size of the global silicones market in 2023?
2. What is the expected growth rate of the global silicones market during 2024-2032?
3. What are the key factors driving the global silicones market?
4. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global silicones market?
5. What is the breakup of the global silicones market based on the product type?
6. What is the breakup of the global silicones market based on the application?
7. What are the key regions in the global silicones market?
8. Who are the key companies/players in the global silicones market?